Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning, looking ahead to Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park.
The boss revealed that we have picked up no fresh injuries from Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over Union SG in the Champions League, also discussing some “very good news” on Tino Livramento after initial fears he may have suffered a serious knee injury.
On our injury situation and Livramento’s eight-week absence, Howe said:
“We’re okay. Thinking off the top of my head, I don’t think there are any fresh injuries.
“Tino went to see a specialist and the scan looked better than we initially thought it was. The specialist confirmed it was an eight-week injury, roughly.”
“It’s a blow to lose him, as our schedule at the moment means it’s a lot of games, but from what it could have been, it’s very good news. It’s a ligament injury, that’s why it’ll take some time to recover.”
“Whenever a player is stretchered off you think it’ll be months (out), so it’s good news for us it’s only weeks.”
Fabian Schar and Lewis Hall will be back available for selection again after missing last Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal, but it seems only Jacob Ramsey (ankle) and Yoane Wissa (knee) will sit out of Sunday’s game alongside Tino.
Discussing Nick Woltemade, the boss also hinted that the German is ready to start again and play three times in a week after building his fitness levels, suggesting he could lead the line once again on Sunday:
“We will make an assessment closer to the game. The Wolves game was a shock to his system, but I think his system is becoming used to those demands and he can play games pretty quickly, so I think he has improved.”
Howe then praised the striker’s unpredictability and quality on the ball, hailing his top tier link up play and the trust we place on him in possession:
“He does things on the pitch that you don’t see coming. His ability to take balls in tight areas is very good. His teammates, most importantly, have begun to understand his game. They really trust him with the ball.
“His link play the other day, bringing the wingers into play, was of the highest level.”
“He’s a really great guy, he’s very positive. He’s continually laughing with his teammates. He seems at home already, which is absolutely crucial to his success on the pitch.”
Finally, on Schar’s return from a head injury after missing previous games against Bournemouth, Bradford and Arsenal, Howe confirmed he’s now ready to play again and has trained well:
“Fab has been good, of course concussion protocols we respect and understand.
“He followed it, now he’s back and has been good.”
